The scale of state-sponsored crime and terror in Zimbabwe has now escalated to the point where we are compelled to watch not just the systematic demolition of democracy and human rights in that country but something not very far removed from slow-motion mass murder a la Burma.....By his silence about what is happening in Zimbabwe, Mandela is making himself complicit in the pillage and murder of an entire nation, as well as the strangulation of an important African democracy.

Not only Mandela, but the Vatican too. Where is the moral outrage from these supposed paragon's of virtue? Not only don't we see the outrage against Mugabe, but the Vatican openly supports him with invitations to visit.

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The church was apparently preoccupied with the far more serious transgression of the local archbishop boinking some chick.

Besides, it's not the job of the Vatican OR Nelson Mandela to bring brutal dictators that wage genocidal campaigns against their own people to justice. I'm told by my very own government that that noble calling belongs to us.

Besides, it's not the job of the Vatican OR Nelson Mandela to bring brutal dictators that wage genocidal campaigns against their own people to justice.

No one has said its their "job" to bring dictators to justice. How about some condemnation. You know, like the Pope does against gays and Jews. Just a little, stop doing what you're doing or you're going to hell type of thing. Nelson could hold a press conference and publically show his displeasure in what his northern neighbor is doing.

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The church rarely does get involved in these types of political issues. I'm not justifying it, but there are a number of less than democratic states with far larger catholic populations that the church has never criticized. Expecting it now is not realistic. Mandela's another issue.

All that said, the real problem is that other African states are also being quiet and the UN hasn't done a whole lot.

Sometimes I think people deserve the regimes they get. No matter how powerful Mugabe is, a full scale revolution would take him out very quickly. Expecting outsiders to solve their problems is not a good idea.

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Reading that article, I notice the writer mentions a source who sounds credible saying Mandela is too old to lead crusades. Considering what the guy went through most of his life, and considering that he may well be hurting physically after all these years, I find it mean spirited to lay this guilt trip on him.

As to the Vatican, well these are the guys who made shuffling criminals around an art. Does anyone expect them to talk smack about a Catholic who is the leader of an entire country? I bet they have a lot of wealth tied up in that country and alienating him is a good way to lose all of it.

According to the Times Mugabe's militia just butchered the wife of the opposition leader and then burned her alive.

Really, what will it take for nations to invoke the idea of R2P. It sure as hell won't come from the present administration who couldn't do so involved in the boondoggle in Iraq. Hopefully the next American president - likely Obama - will realize that the preponderance of American military and diplomatic power can be well used in humanitarian missions that will restore reputation and goodwill at a minimum of expense and lives.

I don't get it-is Mandela from Zimbabwe or something? I thought he was from south Africa. Why should he speak up? Because he's African? Perhaps he has a position of power which I missed out on-if so then please educate me!

I don't get it-is Mandela from Zimbabwe or something? I thought he was from south Africa. Why should he speak up? Because he's African? Perhaps he has a position of power which I missed out on-if so then please educate me!

Because his reputation and aura of influence transcends his native South Africa.

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